The Value You Assign Yourself

What is the message you send to the world, about your self-worth? Because human beings don’t come with price tags, we take our cues for what you’re worth by the value you assign yourself.

Please read that last sentence again. Because it can transform your entire existence if you really understand it.

I have a remarkable physical therapist I go to after softball games, to assuage the aftereffects from my four spinal surgeries. One day he sheepishly and self-consciously informed me that his rates were going up $7 a visit. Personally, I thought this was ridiculous and wondered why he didn’t raise them by $25 or $30. It sent a message.

A friend of mine launched a crowd funding campaign for his consulting services. One of the levels of support offered you a chance to text him a question you wanted help on. For $3. That sent a message too.

But this whole subject is not limited to money and fees. Because you send messages about your value in all areas of your life…

You stay at a shit job for three years because you don’t think you can get a better one. You let your parents run your life and override your desires, even thought you’re in your 30s or 40s. You allow your partner to run roughshod over you. (Or even abuse you.)

Every time you interact with another human – whether it’s your boss, client, spouse, family member, neighbor, store clerk, or the kid who mows your lawn – you are sending a message on what you’re worth. And they decide what you are worth, based on how much it appears you think you are worth.